SKIING

Lindsey Vonn Gives an Emotional but Uplifting Update!

Tex Hollywood - February 16, 2026

Lindsey Vonn posted a video of her being tailed down the hill, where she showed off her ski racing skills before her crash that took her out of her final Olympics.

She doesn't want your sympathy, empathy sure, but not sympathy because she knew what she was doing when she got to that gate before trying to barrel down the hill.

She strategically gave it her all, so that she left nothing on the hill to regret, which lasted about 13 seconds before the hill gave her enough things to potentially regret.

She's an athlete, a crazy person, and she was committed to the sport and making a big bang in the ski history books, which she did, in a literal bang that has her in surgeries, officially ending her career like an old race car that can no longer drive because it's old technology.

Surgery went well today! Thankfully I will be able to finally go back to the US ! Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury…. But until then, as I sit here in my bed reflecting, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share…

I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy. I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always.

When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards.

I was willing to risk and push and sacrifice for something I knew I was absolutely capable of doing. I will always take the risk of crashing while giving it my all, rather than not ski to my potential and have regret. I never want to cross finish line and say,“what if?” And to be perfectly honest, I was stronger physically in that moment than I have been often in the past. Certainly stronger than I was when I ended career in 2019 where I got a bronze medal in the World Championships. And mentally…. Mentally I was perfect. Clear, focused, hungry, aggressive yet completely calm… just as I had practiced over the past few months when I was on the podium in every downhill this season. 2 wins and leading the standings… that was all a test to prepare me for the Olympics. Mentally, I was more ready than I have ever been.

But just because I was ready, that didn’t guarantee me anything. Nothing in life is guaranteed. That’s the gamble of chasing your dreams, you might fall but if you don’t try you’ll never know.

So please, don’t feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.

Here she is in the hospital with friends.

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